There is a hypothetical question that has been circulating on the internet recently. It asks, “If you were alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a bear or a man?” There is no wrong answer, per se, but filmmaker Virginia Root’s short film Dead Weight leads us to believe a bear is the wiser choice. Written and directed by Wood, with support from the George R. R. Martin Literary Foundation, this dark comedy will have its World Premiere at the 2025 Dances with Films Festival.

“It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Survival”

Grace (Alexandra Renzo) is a solo traveler who finds herself alone in the wilderness. Having survived a nondescript apocalypse back home, she has since become one with nature and adjusts to her new reality of isolation. The silence is peaceful, a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of city life. One afternoon, as Grace walks back to her campsite, she spots a man attempting to steal her food supply. Instead of retaliation, Grace senses his desperation and hunger. She quickly befriends the man, Aaron (Griffin Newman), and shares her rations.

Being the only two survivors, Grace and Aaron inadvertently begin to adventure together. However, there is something about Aaron that Grace can’t quite trust. She is a seasoned backpacker, and he is a recreational hiker at best with an air of mystery surrounding him. Grace feels an uneasiness, especially knowing that society as she knows it has collapsed, and the rules no longer apply. Her intuition turns out to be right, with Aaron inevitably turning on her in a callous way, revealing his true character. However, he finds out the hard way that his emotional outburst and naivete are no match for a seasoned pro.

Grounded Performances Nail the Tone

Dead Weight nails the dark comedy tone with a standout performance from Alexandra Renzo. She plays Grace with a stoic groundedness which perfectly complements Griffin Newman’s more “devil in sheep’s clothing” persona. Given that the entirety of the film is shot outside with natural lighting and practical effects, special acknowledgement goes to cinematographer Austin Madrid. He captures the landscape with such precision and attention to detail, much like a virtual postcard from the great outdoors.

Takeaway

Written and directed by Virginia Root, this short film is a tight and cohesive apocalyptic thriller that hits all the right notes.